Utah's liquor laws

The Legislature is once again in session, and as usual, that means Utah's liquor laws are being reviewed. In some years, the review is by lawmakers who want to stiffen the laws. This year, it's actually by lawmakers looking to normalize a few of the state's quirkier laws.

Rep. Kraig Powell, R-Heber City, wants to tear down what has been known as the "Zion Curtain," a barrier or curtain that is supposed to prevent restaurant-goers - particularly children - from seeing the actual drinks being poured. His argument is that he believes it exudes a negative connotation for the hospitality industry in tourist-reliant Park City and elsewhere. House Speaker Becky Lockhart also questioned the need for the barriers in her opening speech Monday at the start of the 2014 legislative session.

As this debate begins, lawmakers learned this week that the Utah Bureau of Investigations has determined that fewer underage drinkers are being served in the state's eateries. Regardless of what you think about the "Zion Curtain," this is good news. After more than 1,000 spot checks over the past year, investigators found that Utah restaurants sold to minors on 16 percent of the undercover visits in 2013, a steep drop from 29 percent the year before.

That 16 percent of minors were served is too many, despite the improvement. But this report serves as a good reminder that all the laws we have in Utah - among the strictest in the nation - still can't prevent the misuse of alcohol. Clearly, we still need better education and, frankly, open discussion between parents and children about the use and misuse of alcohol.

While we believe Utah's liquor laws should be eased to make the area even more attractive to tourists who don't necessarily have the same beliefs as the dominant culture, we also believe minors have no business drinking alcohol.

The UBI found that most of the errors came at busy times in restaurants during which servers tried to cut corners by either not looking at identification closely or not looking at it at all.

Most reasonable people recognize the rationale behind these laws. Nobody wants drunk people operating a motor vehicle. And most people believe - or at least are comfortable with the idea - that 21 is an agreeable age at which people should be able to make the choice if they want an alcoholic beverage.

We applaud the UBI's efforts to curtail drinking among minors. That's a responsible activity and a worthwhile use of investigators' time.

As for the "Zion Curtain," tear it down. Remove any mystery that may be out there for people young and old about what happens when and where the drinks are poured. Allow the drinks to be poured out in the open. And then be willing to have discussions with our young people about why they should wait to drink and, when they choose to do so, that they do so responsibly.

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Utah's liquor laws

The Legislature is once again in session, and as usual, that means Utah's liquor laws are being reviewed. In some years, the review is by lawmakers who want to stiffen the laws.